A clearance rate of 92 per cent was a solid foundation for the Droughtmaster breed as it ended day one of its national sale at CQLX, Gracemere on Tuesday.

Two bulls selling for over $50,000 was the other main highlight in a sale that bucked current trends in terms of clearance rates and averages, a satisfying result for vendors operating in difficult seasonal conditions.

Of the 248 bulls offered, 227 were sold for an average price of $8711.

He also ticked the boxes for their paddock bull buyers from the Northern Territory and the top end of Western Australia, in offering extra bone and soft skin while being able to handle tougher conditions, they said.

“We’re a bit excited about what he might produce.”

Bringing the second top price of the day was Bryvonlea Rolleston (P), sold by Brian and Yvonne Heck to Sam and Jane Barton, Huntly Droughtmaster Stud, Clermont, for $52,500.

At 29 months, Rolleston weighed 912kg, had a scrotal circumference of 42cm, and an EMA of 137sq cm.

As well as being an omen for Sam and Jane, who are soon to move to their property at Rolleston, Sam said he was everything they were looking for in terms of having a big top for a poll bull, being well balanced with great bone, as well as being very functional and growthy.

Sam has bought Bryvonlea bulls before and found they’ve worked well with his cows.

“It’s a good marriage between the two bloodlines,” he said.

Rolleston’s sire, Skye Wilfred, was the second highest priced bull at the 2014 Droughtmaster National sale, purchased by Brian and Yvonne Heck for $50,000, and they said he had done just what they wanted him to do, in putting width and muscle in their cattle, along with a strong poll gene and tropical skin.

Wilfred’s genetics were important to Sam, who said Wilfred had done had done a wonderful job through the whole Bryvonlea draft offered on Tuesday, he could have bought any one of them for the same effect.

“I’d like to think he’s one of the better bulls we’ve bought.”

Bryvonlea’s average was $15,363 for 11 head, an exciting outcome for Brian and Yvonne, along with their 100pc clearance.

Studs represented a good percentage of those buyers, including High Country, Huntly, Yackatoon, Jembrae, and Valera Vale.

Other good averages were recorded by Waringle stud, Maleny, with $18,000 for four head, Heitiki at Delungra, NSW, selling two head for an average $18,250, including a $28,000 purchase by Glenlands, and Locarno, based at Dingo, finishing with an average of $12,500 for 12 head.

On the other side of the coin, Fossil Downs, Fitzroy Crossing, was the volume buyer on the day, purchasing 24 head, followed by Peter and Desieree Hindmarsh, Milton Station, Ubobo with 10 head.

Droughtmasters Australia CEO, Neil Donaldson, said if day one had showed buyers would put their hands in their pockets and dig deep for outstanding bulls, expectations were high for day two’s anticipated offering.